Five Years Old

Nalani turned five this year! What a big girl! She recieved some really fun gifts this year: she got a Leapster with a bunch of books for it, cash, the cute new dress she's wearing in the picture, and some dress-up stuff. We love you, sweet girl!

Make a Wish

These are our good friends Jared and Chelsea...they have four darling kids: Payton, Tate, Cohen, and Tessa. Over Thanksgiving weekend we were able to see something wonderful happen for them!

Last Spring, Payton was diagnosed with a cancerous tumor on his optical nerve. It's been a whirlwind for their family since then, with chemo, doctors appointments, brain surgery, and just the stress of having a sick child. When this all started, the twins, Cohen and Tessa were just around 7 months old. I can't imagine the work of twins, and potty training a two-year old, then adding cancer treatments to the mix! Jared and Chelsea are both so strong and faithful. I know they have a wonderful support system of family, neighbors and friends...but they are truly Super Heroes!

That's why it was so nice to be there on this special night. The Make A Wish Foundation wanted Payton to be their Guest of Honor to kick of their Season of Wishes. He waved his magic wand and lit the Christmas Tree in the Pearl District. Then it was time for his wish to be granted...A week at Disney World with his mom, dad, and little brother, Tate. A break from the babies for Jared and Chelsea because grandma is coming to town to watch them. A week of worry-free fun! I can't think of anyone who deserves it more! Love you guys!

Maika Jordan

Maika's basketball season is almost over:( We are absolutely loving watching her play! She is a little hustler! She drives down the court, shoots and scores! She is NOT a ball hog and happily passes to her teammates under the hoop. When Maika is dribbling the ball she has her tongue sticking out in concentration. I'm afraid she might bite it off one of these days! There are the cutest little girls on her team. This little number 50 constantly has a smile on her face...even when she's doing something wrong (like stealing the ball from her own teammate) you have to love her cute smiling face!Kelly signed on to be the coach this year. I think he was dreading it when I talked him into it, but now he really enjoys it and likes spending time with Maika!

Nalani, Bronson, and Logan entertain themselves by taking silly pictures of each other...
We will enjoy these last few weeks of the season and then in 2010, start up with Logan's volleyball and basketball. We'll see how Bronson handles sitting in a gym ALL day...should be fun times!

Max Hall Hates Me and Thinks I'm Classless!

Because we are Ute fans. Ever since Uncle Jay became a coach for the University of Utah, we are fans! It gets a little sticky when they play BYU, but this year Max Hall made it a little easier to be a Ute fan:) We still love BYU too, don't worry. That's (one of) the nice things about not living in Utah...you can love and cheer for BOTH teams. This year Utah played the Ducks in Eugene, at Autzen Stadium (where it NEVER rains, yeah right!). We were so excited to get to go! Here are Logan and Maika making the "U" We were pretty-much surrounded by Utah fans, so it was fun and loud. I thought Logan's trash talking would get us into some trouble...she takes after her daddy.Here are the three of us, decked out in our red and white....Hey, I wonder where Kelly is?

Oh, he had a field pass and was hearing some major trash talkin' from the Duck fans behind him. He said it was fun to be down there...actually I think the Ducks were still pretty embarrassed by the whole "Incident" with Blount, so they were pretty mellow.
Jer, Rochelle, Talon, Layne and Jared came to the game too. We had a lot of fun, even though the U lost. In the past four years Kelly has spent a small fortune buying t-shirts for the teams playing against Oregon: Oklahoma, USC, Arizona, Utah...I told him it must be bad luck because "we" always lose. I think he's still getting an Ohio shirt for the Rose Bowl. I sure hope it works. It will be a long New Year's weekend if Kelly is moping around because Oregon won!

Cross Country 2009

Logan decided to try Cross Country this year. We all had fun going to watch her participate. Some of the meets even had races for younger kids so Maika ran once too. She figured out real quick that it's better to train:) On the sunny days Bronson and Nalani entertained themselves in the stream that runs through the park. On the rainy days we all huddled together under an umbrella and were grateful that we weren't out there in our shorty-shorts running:)

Logan did a great job! I think it's good that she enjoys something now that she can continue her entire life...if I would've been a runner and done it my entire life, maybe I wouldn't be battling the gym 5-6 days a week trying to get this "baby weight" off.

Star Students

Last month we were excited to get notes in the mail from both our girl's teachers. Maika is loving 2nd grade and her new principal, who decided that it's good to have awards for kids even though it's not considered PC because it might make others feel bad! Maika received an award from her music teacher. She is excited/nervous to perform a solo part in her upcoming Winter Program later this week. We are proud Maika and happy to hear she is such a good student. It's funny to hear her teacher tell us how "she always stays on track," because at home I swear I tell her 20 times to do something before it actually gets done. I'll have to ask her teacher what the magic trick is.

Logan also received an award from her science teacher for the term. I always like going to the assemblies and seeing her interact with her teachers and friends. Boy, things have changed since I was in 6th grade :) Keep up the good work, girlies! Love you!

I Can't Wait Until I'm Eight!

Maikalani Sarah Last week was crazy! Three of my four kids were sick, we just got back from Utah, and we needed to prepare for out of town company coming in for Maika's baptism. I have some of the best friends in the world! They came and cleaned my house for me before I got home so that was one less thing to worry about. We had some delicious meals brought in, and that helped too! Now, I could just concentrate on getting my kids better so we could enjoy our big weekend.

(Logan, Dad, Maika, Nalani, Bronson, Mom)
Grandma Marcia and Grandpa Gary flew in on Friday morning. Grandma Winna, Auntie Jennie, Auntie Jo, Chaz, Zion, and Etano drove in on Friday night. We all had dinner together and then started preparing the feast for after the baptism. Kalua pork, teriyaki chicken, potato/mac salad and fried rice were on the menu. After Auntie Jennie gave the traditional pedicures we were off to bed.

Saturday morning started with Maika's basketball games. I'm not being prejudiced here, the girl is a BALLER! She scored 18 points between her two games and can dribble like a pro! It was so much fun to watch her with her tongue hanging out like Michael Jordan. Kelly is her coach and finally had to tell her to stop stealing the ball from the other team:) I guess Auntie Jo's basketball camp this summer really paid off!

(Grandma Marcia, Maika, Grandpa Gary)

After the games, we all came home to finish the final touches on the meal and get ready to go to the church. The program was beautiful. Both grandmas spoke and Kelly and Maika sang a song together. I was fighting back tears the whole time! I'm grateful that Candy played the piano for us and Rochelle had her camera ready...I forgot mine! Jodi typed up and printed the programs...I told you I had great friends! I think they were willing to do anything for the meal afterwards:)

(Chaz, Logan, Grandma Winna, Etano, Dad, Maika, and Bronson stuffing his face)

Besides Zion being sick with a horrible migraine headache, it was a wonderful day! Thanks to all who came to share in our joy. Thanks to everyone for loving Maika and supporting her!